"We're seeing the farms expand because of the strong agricultural infrastructure. It's strong enough to attract new business and to expand businesses," Ptacek said Thursday.

The state Farmland Protection Program awarded $2.4 million to preserve 1,543 acres at three farm in Rensselaer and one farm in Washington counties. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the grants to purchase the four farms' development rights Tuesday.

The latest announcement caps ASA's best year in obtaining state support for farmland preservation, Ptacek said. This year ASA will see 10 farms — six in Rensselaer County and four in Washington County — protected with $5.63 million in state grants.

"Much of the farmland protected is among the best in the Northeast, and with this protection effort, we are helping to ensure the future operation of these hard working family farms," said Rensselaer County Legislature Majority Leader Ken Herrington, R-Brunswick, a dairy farmer.

By acquiring the development rights, ASA is able to help keep farms active and make them affordable for future farming.

The 296-acre Wagner Farms in Brunswick and Poestenkill will use the sale of its rights to acquire additional land. It's a third-generation dairy farm managed by Pete Wagner. It's knows as "Wagner Flats" and is considered to have some of the Capital Region's best farmland.